Posted: 8/7/02

5 teaching positions OKíd

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Calling the class size numbers ìnot acceptable,î the ISD 831 Board of Education voted 6-0 Monday night to authorize five teaching positions at the elementary level.

The boardís vote at a regular meeting will add the equivalent of 4.5 teaching slots who will be assigned to five elementary buildings.

The administration recommended the move this week based on high enrollment expectations at certain grade levels where totals were too high, said Superintendent Lynn Steenblock this week.

Mondayís decision comes on the heels of parental lobbying for additional staff to address high class size issues at Forest Lake Elementary. But the district action, based on details gathered in July, will address needs at five schools.

Mondayís action will mean the following new staff positions:

ïHalf-time teacher for kindergarten at Linwood Elementary.

ïOne full-time teacher at grade one, Wyoming Elementary.

ïOne full-time teacher at grade three, Lino Lakes Elementary.

ïOne full-time teacher at grade 5, Forest Lake Elementary.

ïOne full-time teacher at grade five, Forest View Elementary.

Steenblock said projected class sizes of 35 students for Forest Lake fifth grade classes and 34 students for fifth grade classes at Forest View were ìnot acceptable.î Similar situations were addressed at Lino Lakes, Linwood and Wyoming.

Steenblock said the new hires could be accommodated within the districtís proposed budget for the 2002-2003 school year while the district continues to address its statutory operating debt needs.

One big benefit, he said, was the districtís favorable insurance picture. The district had expected a 28 percent increase in medical insurance costs, but the actual figure is a 24 percent increase.

The lower rate will mean a net savings of $135,000, the superintendent said.

ìItís important we reinvest that money back into teachers,î Steenblock said.

School board members agreed with the recommendation, saying it was best for parents and students to have teachers hired and in place for the start of the school year.

The administration will continue to monitor other class size situations in the district.

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